Mechanism for sealing cartons



April 24, 1951 BACK 2,550,516

MECHANISM FOR SEALING CARTONS Filed April 27, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 30 E 45 l 5 z INVENTOR.

LEONA/ a 3461(- ATTORN EY'S.

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April 24, 1951 BACK MECHANISM FOR SEALING CARTONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 27, 1946 INVENTOR.

- Zomwa 34am BY M W ATTORNEYS.

Apri]2 4,1 95 1v L AC 2,5 0,516

' MECHANISM FOR" SEAL'QING CARTONS Fild p il v27".: 1946 v v I 4 Sheets-Sheet s v v r N Q Q v t M V \l N IN V EN TOR. .Zfazvmqa B404.

' ATTORNEYS.

April 24, 1951 L. BACK MECHANISM FOR SEALING CARTONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 27, 1946 .x. mm m5 V mp M N a E L ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 24, 1951 MECHANISM FOR SEALING oAa'roNs Leonard Back, Middletown, Ohio, assignor to The Interstate Folding Box Company Application April 27, 1946, Serial No. 665,565

21 Claims. (Cl. 93-49) The principal object of my invention is the provision of mechanism by means of which a tight, sift-proof, closure, which if desired may be made liquid-tight, may be produced on seal-end type paperboard cartons. More specificallly; it is an object of the invention to provide mechanism whereby the type of closure set forth in my oo-pending application, Ser. No. 598,063 filed June 7, 1945, now Patent No. 2,524,032, October 3, 1950, and entitled Sealing Method and Means for Cartons, may be effected.

A general object of my invention is the at- ,tainment mechanically, and simply and cheaply, of tight closures in seal-end cartons. j i'lihese and other objects of the invention which will be set forth hereinafter or will be apparent to one skilled in the art, upon reading these specifications I accomplish in that mechanism of which I shall now describe an exemplary embodiment. Reference is made to the drawings forming a part hereof and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a cage for holding a carton to be sealed. ,Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof. Figure 3 is a top plan view.

Figures 4 and 5 are elevational views with :parts' in section (the section being taken along .the lines 44 of Figure 1) showing means for .jo'peratin the blade, and the blade itself in two positions.

' Figure 6 is a partial sectional view taken along .the line 8-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of one type of machine upon which my cages may be used, showing a sequence of operations, and variousfinstrumentalities coacting with the cages and acting upon the cartons.

Figures 8 to 14 inclusive are fragmentary perspectives showing the various stages in forming a tight closure at the carton end.

Figure 15 is a similar view showing a mode of applying adhesive by means. which can be em- 2 the condition of the carton after an initial ap plication of adhesive.

Figure 20 is a partial elevation of a means for applying adhesive.

Figure 21 is a sectional view taken along the line 2!, H of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 22, 22 of Figure 0.

Figure 23 is an elevational view of an adjustable cam member.

In my copending application referred to above, I have taught a mode of forming a carton closure in a seal-end carton involving bending one or more of the flaps outwardly and passing across the end of the carton a thin, bladelike memher, over which certain of the flaps are folded and adhesively secured together. The use of the interior blade, together with an external pressure element, enables the flaps so folded and secured to be forced into complete surface conformation. Furthermore, the flaps so folded and secured from a platform against which the remaining flap or flaps may be folded and adhesively secured after the blade has been withdrawn, the platform serving to sustain the pressure employed to force all flaps into surface conformity.

Prior to that invention, it was usual to make the first closure of a seal-end carton over an interior mandrel thrust into the carton from the other end. Between such a mandrel and an external pressure means, the flaps can be caused to conform and to be adhesively secured throughout their respective areas, providing a fairly tight closure. But this procedure, including the use of the mandrel, is not available for making the last or final closure of the carton after it has been filled.

In making the final closure, where no mandrel could be used, the flaps could not be forced into surface conformity, and poor closures wer the result.

My mode of operation is applicable with equal effect to both closures of the carton. If mandrel type equipment is available it may be used, if desired, for making the first closure, whereupon the cartons may be filled, and closed on the machine hereinafter described. Superiorresults are, however, obtaind by making both closures on my machine.

As set forth also in my copending case, the cartons may be manufactured in such a way that the flaps are pre-coated with a thermoplastic adhesive. Where this is done it is not necessary to apply adhesive to the cartons on my machine, and where the pre-applied thermoplastic covers not only the inner surfaces of the flaps, but the adjacent score lines as well, it is readily possible to secure liquid-tight closures. Nevertheless, it is possible as hereinafter set forth to apply the required adhesive on my machine.

In the preferred practice of my invention I provide a cage holding the carton being operated upon, with which cage is combined the blade aforesaid and means for moving and positioning it. The cage may be used in various types of machines. Herein I have shown and described it as moving in a path in a machine having many of the features of the machines set forth in the Bergstein and Van Guelpen patent, 2,277,289, the Berg'stein patent, 2,330,466 and the copending application of Bergstein and Van Guelpen, Ser. No. 540,704 filed July 13, 1942 and entitled, Packaging Method and. Means, now abandoned.

As the cage moves along, means on the machine bed are provided to perform folding, pressing and other manipulations upon the cartons themselves. Means may also be provided on the machine bed to operate the cage elements to grip or release the cartons, or the cages may be constructed as described in the said copending Bergstein and Van Guelpen application, in such manner that the insertion of the carton into the cage causes the elements to move to gripping position.

In Figure '7, a series of cages, which will hereinafter be described in detail, are arranged in spaced relationship and connected by chain elements indicated at l. The chain elements form an endless chain running over sprockets 2 and 3 near theends of the machine, and the application of power to one or both of these sprockets will cause the chains and hence the sprockets to. move in an orbit or path in the machine. Each cage has a base sliding on trackways in the machine. These trackways are not shown in Figure 7, but are indicated at I and 8 in Figures 1, 2, and 3.

Arms Sand I6 having a means for engaging .the side walls of erected cartons are movably mounted as a part of the cage. Various mechanical constructions may be employed for mounting the arms and for moving them, together with the engagement means I l and 12, to carton engaging and carton releasing positions. In the particular exemplary embodiment I have shown the arms 9 and IE3 pivoted on brackets l3 attached to the base 5. To operate the arms I have shown link members l4 and I5 pivoted respectively to brackets i6 and ii on the arms, both links being pivoted to a bracket-like member I8 on the end of an operating lever l9 which in turn is pivoted at pivot point [9a intermediate its ends to brackets 26 and Zla on the base 5. The outer endof the lever I9 is provided with a cam-following roller 22a. Springs 23 and 24 connect the outer pivot points of the links M and E5 to fixed points on the base 5, tending to throw the arms inwardly into the carton engaging position. It will be evident that the arms maybe operated through the lever is by means of one or more cams 25 on the machine frame engaging the cam-follower 2211.

At the rear of the cage mechanism I provide a standard 2 6', which has a means 21 for determining the vertical position of the carton. If the cage is to be used for sealing the first end of. a carton, this gauge or position determining means may be in the form of a clip as most clearly is illustrated in Figures 1 and 5. If the cage is to be used for forming the second closure or both closures of a carton, the position determining means may be in the form of simple abutments upon which the lower ends of carton structures may rest. If desired the standard 28 may also be provided with means 28 and 29 furnishing an additional back rest for the carton body.

The upper end of the standard has a rearward extension 30 provided with ways 3| upon which a carriage 32 is slideably mounted for movement toward and away from the carton body in a transverse direction. The carriage 32 has a recess 33 in which the rounded upper end of a bell crank lever 34 is mounted. The lever is pivoted to the standard 25 as most clearly indicated in Figure 2 at 35. The shorter arm of the bell crank 34 carries a cam-following roller 36. It will be evident that cam-means on the machine frame may be employed to move the bell crank 34 and hence the carriage 32 toward and away from the carton body.

To the carriage I pivot a member 31 which bears a thin blade 38. The member 31 and the blade rock from a position in which the blade is horizontal as shown in Figure 5 to an upper position in which the blade clears the carton as shown in Figures 2 and 4. To operate the blade I provide it with an angular arm 39 which engages an abutment or stud 10 mounted upon the extension 30 of the standard. This is illustrated in Figure 2. Spring means 4! preferably at the pivot of the member 3! (see Figures 1 and 3) may be employed to urge the member 31 and blade 38 to the upward position and to keep the arm 39 in contact with the stud 40.

. 'To render unnecessary the use of continuous cam means on the machine bed for the bell crank 34, I provide means for releasably fixing the carriage 32 in its two extreme positions. These means are detailed in Figure 6 and comprise recesses 42 and 43 formed in the ways 31. A plunger A l actuated by a spring 45 in a perforation in the carriage 32 engages in these recesses for the purpose described.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 15 it will be noted that at one end of my machine the cam means 25 operates to depress the extending end of the lever 19 and thereby open up the arms 9 and IQ of my cage. The cam 25 thus provides a loading and unloading station for the cages at which a sealed carton may be removed from a cage and an unsealed carton inserted therein. The cages will be moving in the machine in the directions indicated by the arrows, as they are propelled by the chain sections I along the guides I and 8 herein above described. When a cage passes the end of the cam 25 the lever 9 will be released and the arms 9 and It will close inwardly upon the carton which has been inserted into the cage, and will grasp it firmly by means of the members II and 12' which engage body walls of the carton.

Cartons in the several figures are indicated generally by the numeral 45. The position determining means 21 serves to fix the height of the cartons in the cage. Figure 8 shows the initial condition of the upper end of the carton when it is inserted in the cage andengaged thereby.

As the cage and carton travel to the left in Figure 7, a stationary sweep or folding rod 41 engages the i'iap 48 of the carton and bends it outwardly. When this is accomplished a short cam member 49 mounted upon the machine engages the cam follower 36 on the bell crank .34 and causes it to move the carriage 32 inwardly. The carriage movement op'eratesthe member 3! and blade 38 through the arm 39 and stud 4i swinging the member and blade downwardly until they overlie the flap 48 in part at least, with the blade extendingacross the open end of the cartonsubstantially in the plane of the score lines, by means of which the carton flaps are articulated to the carton body walls. Needless to say the dimensions of the cage, the standard, and

the position determining means 2'! are such that the blade will be brought into the correct position with respect to the carton. This is illustrated in Figures 5, and 11. The blade 38 and member 31 will retain the carton flap 48 in the out-folded condition; and during a continuation of the motion of the cage, a rocking, power-actuated finger 5t! folds inwardlythe carton flap 5! in the direction of motion of the carton. A stationary sweep or folder 52 operates to fold inwardly the opposite carton flap 53 against the direction of motion of the carton. The flaps 5i and 53, as now folded, overlie the blade 38 and are supported by the blade. This is illustrated in Figure 10. 7

The blade 38 will be made of a material stiff enoughlto sustain the pressure exerted by members used insuring surface conformity of the flaps hereinafter described. The thickness may be varied for different sizes of cartons with this in view., The dimensions of the blade will likewise be varied for different sizes of cartons. In practice my blades are so dimensioned that the front and side edges lie slightly inwardly of the score lines of the carton, say to of an inch, when the blade is in the position shown in Fig. 5. Moreover, I prefer to chamfer or taper these edges downwardly to a very thin edge as illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. The combination of these features enables the folding elements of my machine to fold the flaps on their'score lines, even though the blade is of sufficient thickness to withstand relatively heavy pressure. The flaps may bow slightly over the tapered portions alongthe edges of the blade, but this does not interfere with the exertion of adequate pressure for sealing. I believe this to be due to the natural humping of the board at the score lines in an upward direction when the flaps are bent over.

If some or all of the carton flaps have been precoated with a thermoplastic adhesive, a heated means, illustrated at 54 as an electrical heater, maybe employed to reactivate the adhesive, especially on the flap 55. This fiap is next folded over onto the flaps. 5i and 53 by a stationary sweep. 56 in Figure '7. The folded flap 55 is held in folded position by an overhead pressure member. 51 during a continuation of the travel of the carton. During this folding and securingoperation, the flaps 5|, 53 and 55 are supported from beneath by the blade 38. It will be noted in Figure 4 that the standard 25 may be provided with a stop means 58 over which the flap 48 is folded, and which, through that flap, supports the blade 38 at the desired level. Other means for fixing the position of the blade 38 may be provided if desired. The action of the mechanism is such that during the securing operation the flaps 5!, 53 and 55 are forced into complete surface comformity by the blade 33 and the overhead member 51 acting as pressure devices. is, of course, continued until the adhesive has satisfactorily set, by cooling if the adhesive is The pressure thermoplastic, or by solvent elimination if of the solvent type.

During the continuation of the motion of the cage, after adhesion has been eifected, a cam member 59 on the machine engages the cam following roller 36 on the bell crank 34, so as to cause the bell crank to move the carriage 32 away from the carton body. This movement withdraws the blade 38 from beneath the adhesively secured flaps 5!, 53 and 55, whereupon the spring means t! tilts the member 31 and blade 38 to the position shown in Figure 2. The carton is now in the condition shown in Figure 12 and during a continuation of the movement of .the cage the flap 48 may be turned upwardly (as in Figure 13) by a stationary sweep 60, into. a position to have its adhesive re-activated by a heater Bl. Thereafter the flap 48 is turned inwardly onto the flap 55 by a continuation a of the sweep ti]; and the closed carton is delivered under an overhead pressure member 62 supported on the machine. The previously secured flaps 5!, 53 and 55 form a supporting platform so that the pressure member 62 can force the flap 48 into complete surface conformity with the flap 55.

In this way, sift proof closures can be made on seal end cartons by mechanical means, and without the use of an interior mandrel thrust through the carton body from the opposite end. The cage supports the carton body in accurately squared-up condition so that the flaps may be accurately folded and positioned. The devices and mode of operation described result in a closure in which all flaps are adhesively secured in complete surface conformity so that such closures are tight even at the corners.

The pressure member 62 will engage the top of the carton until the adhesive has sufficiently set and will be made long enough for that purpose. When the cage has traveled beyond the end of the pressure member 52 the cam '25 acts upon the lever 59 to open the cage arms so that the carton may be withdrawn at the loading and unloading station.

Where the sealing flaps have been pre-coated with thermoplastic adhesive, the adhesive extending so as to cover the score lines by which the carton flaps are articulated to the body walls, as described in the copending application of Samuel Bergstein, Ser. No. 563,386 filed November 14, 1944, entitled Precoated, Protective Containers and Methods of Making Them, now abandoned, my machine effects hermetically sealed closures even to the extent of rendering such closures liquid tight.

My mechanism, however, is not limited to the treatment of cartons with pro-coated flaps. Means maybe provided for applying adhesive to the carton flaps on the machine, and such adhesive may be of heat softened or solvent softened character as desired. In Figure 15 I have diagrammatically shown adhesive being applied to the outturned flap 55 of a carton while this flap is supported from beneath by a guide member 63. The application of the adhesive is made by means of a roller 64 receiving a film of adhesive from a transfer roller 65 turning in contact with a coating roller which dips into a pan of adhesive (not shown). The roller 64 may if desired be widened so as to apply adhesive to parts or all of the flaps 5| and 53; and it"may also be grooved in such fashion as to apply a heavier coating of adhesive along the score line of flap 55. (See also Figure 19 hereinafter de- 7 scribed.) Where it is not required to reactivate a thermoplastic adhesive by heat, the heating means 54: and BI, may be eliminated.

The various means for folding the flaps on my machine are exemplary only and may be varied. In some types of cage machines the cages are caused to rotate about a vertical axis through increments of 90 in order that flaps may be folded by members all of which are stationary. The principles of my invention may be applied tosuch machines, as well as to machines in which the travel of. the cartons, instead of being continuous is in a step by step manner.

Figures 16 to 23 inclusive illustrate an embodin'ient of the machine for sealing operations where the adhesive is applied on the machine; and where features of the mechanism include an improved means for handling and applying the adhesive. means for pro-Warming the board surfaces which are to be brought together, and means for subjecting. the individual carton closures or partial closures to intense localized pressure;

On this machine I am able to carry on the process of the copending application of. Samuel Bergstein entitled The Hot Melt Sealing of Wax oated;Boxboard, Serial No. 661,565, filed April 12,, 1946 (now abandoned).

My apparatus is thus useful for sealing. cartons the insidesurface of which has been coated with aproofing composition. Its utility is not; however, confined to this, the machine being of importance wherever it is desired to treat each carton to an individual and carefully controlled application of pressure.

Like parts have been given like index nu-' merals. The chain sprocketsrz and 9 are mountedon shafts 66 and 91 journalled above on arms, 68 and 69, on the mid-rib iii of the machine. The chain I passes around the sprockets andv causes the carriages and cages to traverse the desired orbit; as before.

There is a cam member 25a at a loading station to; open and close the cages. Sweeps ll fold outwardly flaps t8 and 55 of the carton, and the cam 4e operates theblade 58;as hereinabove described. A kicker as for the trailingflap' and a sweep 52 for the leading flap 53 are again provided and operate to fold these flaps inwardly over the blade 38.

I have provided a pair of warming units (electrical heaters) 72 and i3 whichoverlie respectively; the infolded flaps 5i and 53 and the outfolded flap 55. These are useful inpreparing theboard surfaces for the thermo-plastic adhesive. and especially so where the adhesive clo sure is to be made on board one surface at least of which has been treated with an application of waxy substance.

The; thermoplastic adhesive is applied by. an applicator indicated generally at 1 1 in Figure 16 an'ddetailed in Figures and 23 inclusive. The

applicator comprises a pot or reservoir for the adhesive indicated at it, which \viil be fitted with an electrical heater E6 or equivalent means for maintaining the adhesive molten. Anapplicator roller 'i'l' turns in an opening in the pot; the walls of the pot approaching the roller closely at the sides and bottom to prevent loss of the adhesive. In Figure 20 the roiler l? turns. in a clock wise fashion, and thebottoni edge ofthe pot (or anad'justable member therein) servesas a doctor to form an even filrnon the cylindrical surface of. theroller. The levelof the thermoplastic in the pot is maintained below the top of the roller.

The roller is mounted on a shaft 18 journalled in the side walls of the pot. Electrical heating means l9- may be provided for the roller with conductors extending through a bore-in the shaft and at its left hand end connected. with contact rings and Si. Brushes 82' and 83, mounted upona bracket 8 supply currentto the heaters;

One of. the features of my applicator is the provision of a separate and continuous drive for the applicator roller, which insures that a film; of proper thickness and consistency will be on the surface of the roller at all times. A separate motor 85, through a gear reduction 86 drives the roller I? bymeans of a chain 81 engaging a sprocket 88 fixedon the shaft 18,. This sprocket also bears supporting means for the contact rings 80 andBl as-shown.

Through the action of the motor the applicator roll 1! is thus kept in constant rotation during the operation of the machine. When the roll is employed to apply adhesive to the carton flaps. asupporting roll 89 is used to hold a flap in contact with the applicator roller. In order to prevent fouling of the supporting roller 89 it is desired that it be brought upwardly only when a carton flap is passing beneath the applicator roller. To this endI mount/the supporting roller 89 on an arm 90 which is pivoted as at 9| to the pot '15 or tosome other suitable means. The arm 90 has an extension 92 which is urged by a spring 93, in a clock-wise direction about the pivot 9| so as to bring the roller 89 upwardly. The movements of the arm are determined by cam means, conveniently made in two parts, 94 and 95, which are adjustably relativeto eachother by means of screws 96 engaging in selected ones ofa pluralityof; holes 91 in. the cam parttt. The cam part 94 is ailixed to-a sleeve' 98'rotatably mounted upon the shaft 97. The cam part is rotatable.

on the. sleeve, and the structure just described enables me to lengthen or shorten the; effective cam surface for boxes'ofdifferent sizes. I have shown the campasdriven by a chain 99 engaging a sprocket. I90 fixed tojthe sleeve w. The chain 99 runs over a sprocket ml which ison a shaft coupled with the main drive of, the machine. Thus, while'the applicator roller 1'! rotates'continuously, the cam is actuated only in synchronous relation to the movements-of the conveyor chain I. It will not be actuated if the maindrive of the machine is stopp ed. The-cam member 94; sli actuates the arm 99 through a cam follower HlZmountedon the arm.

Itmay, occasionally happen in machines of this type that the operator will fail to insert a carton in one of the cages. Where this happens, it is desirable topreventi the supportingroller 89 from moving, upwardly. I journal a. shaft Hi3 rotatably in brackets Hi4 and; H15 on the pct 15; This shaft carries aclamp' I06 for a rod member I07 so located as to lie in the path of. a. carton 46 moving along in a cage on the machine. The shaft 5'63 also carries an abutment arm I08 which lies in the path of an adjustable abutment bolt H19 on a projection H0 of the arm 90. When the parts are inthe position shown insolidi lines in Figures 20 and 22, the abutment means: I08", Hi9 will prevent the clockwise rotation of the arm-Be about its pivot 9 l-,.ev.en though the cam 94,95 be actuated. But in this position the rod lilllies inthe path of acarton 46 moving along in-a cage, The; carton will thus: swing the rod Hi1: asindicated in dotted lines in Figure 22 so 9 as to carry the abutment I08 out of ,the way. A spring Ill tends to return shaft I113 :to'. the

first mentioned position. Thus the supporting I,

roller 89 will be caused to rise only as a carton flap passes beneath the applicator roller 11.

The construction of the pct 15 may be varied. I may provide it with partition members I i2 and H3 provided. with packing means H4 and engaging the surface of the roller 11 and the walls of the pot. The adhesive may be confined between these partition members, which may be made adjustable to control the width of the film formed on the surface of the applicator roller.

As shown in Figure 19 the roller may be so configured as to coat the flap 55 with adhesive, form ing'a heavy bead H5 adjacent the score line of that flap and the edges of flaps 5| and 55. While the application of heavier beads of adhesive adjacent the scorelines in sealing carton closures is not new, being set forth in Patent 1,974,256 to Samuel Bergstein, in my process and in the use of my apparatus a very much more positive seal or liquid-tight condition is obtained through the coaction of this expedient and commercially feasible means to hold and press the closure flaps together in complete surface conformity, and for siliently supported by rods 1 l8 slidably mounted r in the arms of a bracket or spider H9 affixed to the bracket 68. Springs 20 urge the track to its lowermost position.

On the shaft 66, I mount a diskor spider l2! so as to rotate with the shaft. Rods l22 bearing individual pressure elements I 23 are vertically slidable on the disk. The rods at their upper ends are provided with rollers I24, and are urged upwardly by springs I25. The rods and pressure elements are so spaced about the disk i2! that 1 there will be a pressure element for each carton passing around the orbit ofthe machine. Thus, as a carton moves into position adjacent .the sprocket 2, a pressure element I23 will swing into position above it and will movealong with the carton. As it does so, the roller I24 will come into contact with the track II! and the pressure element will be strongly but resiliently pressed against the end of the carton, insuring conformity of the flaps and sufficient pressure toform a good adhesive bond. The pressure elements rise beyond the end of track H1, and as the cages enter the straight flight of the conveyor,,.the pressure elements will move out of the way. A cam member 125 will then operate to withdraw the blade 38 as above explained. A similar series of. operations is employed for theclosure and sealing of the final flap 48; and I have indicated additional warming means at I25 and I21, and an adhesive applicator at 28, the details of which maybe the same as those hereinabove described for the applicator 14. The flap 48 will be turned inwardly by a sweep I29 and pressure will be applied to it by pressure means similar to those described at the left-hand end of the machine. In Figure 16 I have shown a trackway I30 and a supporting spider I 3 I. Cooling of a thermoplastic adhesive may be accomplished atone or both ends of the machine by cool air blown through a corn duit- I32, having a shield I33 to direct the air against th cartons.

Modified pressure means may be employed. 'In Figure 18 I have shown the disk- [2| supporting abutment plates B4 to which pneumatic pressure means. I35 are attached. These pressure means have inlet and outlet conduits for air or other fluid whereby they may be expanded against the ends of the cartons. Suitable automatically acting valves will be provided. The pneumatic pressure elements will, of course, be made of flexible substance.

Various modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit of it. Having thus described my invention in an exemplary embodiment, what I claim as new and de# sire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1'1. Ina mechanism for sealing seal-end cartons having body walls and closure flaps, means for engaging erected cartons and for moving said cartons through a path of travel, a blade, means for causing said blade to travel with said car tons, means for outfolding at least one carton flap, means for moving said blade to a position overlying an outfolded flap and extending across the open end of a carton substantially at the score line by which said flaps are articulated to the body walls of said carton, means for infolding and adhesively securing a plurality of flaps over said blade, means for pressing said folded and secured flaps against said blade, and means for withdrawin said blade.

2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for engaging said carton comprises a cage traveling on a machine body, and. wherein said folding. means are members on the machine body with respect to which said cage travels, and

wherein said machine body carries means for opening and closing said cage. v

3. In a mechanism for sealing seal-end cartons having body walls and closure flaps, means for engaging erected cartons and for movingsaid cartons through a path of travel, a blade, means for causing. said blade to travel with said cartons. means for outfolding at least one carton flap, means for moving said blade to a position overlying an outfolded flap and extending across the open end of a carton substantially at the score line by which said flaps are. articulated to the body walls of said carton, means for infolding and adhesively securing a plurality of flaps over said blade, means for pressing said folded and secured flaps against said blade, and means for Withdrawing said blade, said means forpressing said folded flaps comprising means traveling with said cartons during a portion at least of their path of travel.

4. The structure claimed in claim 3 including heating means mounted on said machine body for reactivating a thermoplastic adhesive previously applied to said carton flaps. 3 5

Y 5. The structure claimed in claim 3 including means mounted 'on' the machine body for-applying adhesive to folded flaps of said cartons.

6. A cage for engaging and sealing cartons comprising a body, movable means on said body for engaging the erected body of a seal-end car'- ton having body walls and articulated closure flaps at a desired height, and means mounted on said cage andmovable with respect to the engaged carton body therein, said means comprising a blade, means for bringing said blade into a position overlying one at least of said carton flaps in outturned condition and extending acrossithe open carton body at the level of the score line by which said flaps are articulated to said body walls, whereby other flaps may be turned there l1 over andadhesiveiy secured, and means for withdrawing said blade.

'7. In a cage mechanism, a base, a standard mounted on said base, a pair of coasting arms mounted on said base and movable toward :each

other from a carton receiving position to a carton holding position, said coacting :arms having means for engaging and holding a seal-end carton in squared-up condition and at a desired height, a rearward extension on said standard, a carriage siidable on said extens'iomasupporting plate movably mounted on said carriage movable to a position extending across an open end of a carton held by said coacting arms substantial y at the score line articulating closure flaps to'body walls thereof and to a position in which said plate uncovers said carton.

8. In a cage mechanism, a base, a standard mounted on said base, a pair of coacting arms mounted on said base and movable toward "each other from a carton receiving position to a carton holding position, said coacting arms'having means for engaging and holding a seal-end carton in squared-lip condition and at a desired height, a rearward extension on said standard, acarriage slidable on said extension, a supporting plate movably mounted on said carriage mov able to a position extending across an open end of a carton held by said c'oacting arms substantlally at the score line articulating closure flaps to body walls thereof and to a position in which said plate uncovers said carton, and means in connection with said carriage and extension for fixing said carriage releasably in said several positions.

9.'In a cage mechanism, a base, a standard mounted on said base, a pair of coacting arms mounted onisaid. base and movable toward each other from a carton receiving position to a carton holding position, said coastin arms having means for engaging and holding a seal-end carton in squared-up condition and at a desired height, a rearward extension on said standard, a carriage slidable on said extension, a supporting plate movably mounted on said carriage movabie to a position extending across an open end of a carton held by said movable armssubstantially at the score line articulating closure flaps to body walls thereof and to a position in which said plate uncovers said carton, and means in connection with said carriage and extension for fixing said carriage releasably in said several positions, said cage having extendingoperating means and, cam means positioned to activate said operating means during motion of said cage for effecting the movements of said carriageand for .efiecting the movements of said arms.

10. In a machine of the character described, a machine body, a plurality of cages, means for mo /ing said cages in an orbit on said machine body, each cagecomprising a base, a standard, pivoted arms for releasably engaging an erected seal-end carton and externally operable means for moving said arms, a blade, mounting means whereby said blade may be brought to a position extending across the open end ofacarton substantially at the score line articulating closure flaps to body walls thereof and to a position at which said blade uncovers said carton, and externallyv operable means for moving the blade, and means mounted with respect to the ma chine body and operating in sequence with re-' spect to the movements of saidcages for closing said arms whereby to engage an erected carton in a cage, for folding outwardly a 2 3,011 said 12 carton, for bringing said blade 'into a position overlying the outfolded flap and extending across the open end of said carton, for foldin a plurality of carton flaps-and adhesively securing them together over said blade, for pressing the folded and secured flaps against said blade, for Withdrawing said blade, for folding in the o-utfolded flap and pressing it against the previously folded'and secured flaps, and for opening said arms whereby to release said carton.

1-1. The machine claimed in claim 10 including heating means for reactivating previously applied adhesive on said flaps.

12. The machine claimed in' claim :10 including means for applying adhesive to said flaps.

13. In a machine for closing and sealing cartons having flaps, means for supporting and moving erected cartons, means for outfolding at least one of'the cartonflaps, a supporting blade, means for passing said supporting blade across an end of said carton, means for applying adhesive to at least one of the carton flaps, means for interfolding a plurality of the carton flaps over said supporting blade and means traveling with said carton for exerting pressure on said interfolded flaps as supported by said blade, said means comprising pressure elements individual to the said cartons and means for actuating said pressure elements during a portion'of the travel of said cartons.

14. In a device for sealing the ends of cartons of the seal-end variety having body walls and closure flaps, a machine body, means on said machine body for engaging a carton in squaredup open condition and for moving it in a path of travel, a blade, means for causing said blade to travel with said carton, mounting means whereby said blade may be brought to a position extending across the open-end of the'carton and to a position at which said blade uncovers said carton, means arranged sequentially along the path of travel of said cartonfor folding outwardly a flap of said carton, for bringing said blade into position overlying the'outfolded flap'and extending across the open end of'said carton, for fold-- ing in a pair of opposite flaps over-said blade, for applying adhesive between the meeting surfaces of said infolded pair of flaps and yet another flap of said end closure, for folding said last named flap against said first infoi'ded flaps, and for pressing said folded flaps together against said blade.

15. In a device for sealing the ends of cartons of the seal-end variety having body walls and closure flaps, a machine body, means on said machine body for engaging a carton in squared-up open condition and for moving it in a path of travel, a blade, means for causing said blade to travel with said carton, mounting means whereby said blade ma be brought to a position extending across the open end of the carton and to a position at which said blade uncovers said carton, means arranged sequentially along the path of travel of said cartonfor folding outwardly a flap of said carton, for bringing said blade into position overlying the outfolded flap and extending across the open end of said carton, for folding in a pair of opposite flaps over said blade, for applying adhesive between the meeting surfaces of said infolded pair of .fiaps and yet another flap of said end closure, for folding. said lastnamed flap against said first infolded flaps, for pressing said folded flaps together against said blade, for Withdrawing said blade, for coating the outfolded flap with adhesive, for folding in the said outbrought to a position extending across an open end of the carton and to a position in which said blade uncovers said carton, means arranged sequentially along the path of travel of said carton for folding outwardly at least one closure flap, for bringing said blade to the position in which it overlies the outfolded flap and extends across the open end of the carton, for providing an activated coating of. adhesive on at least one other of said closure,1flaps,ffor infolding said last mentioned flap toge'therwith yet another flap against the top surfaceof said blade, for pressing the folded flaps together while resting on said blade as a support, and'for withdrawing said blade.

17. The structure claimed in claim 16 wherein said blade is provided with reduced edges and wherein said blade is so dimensioned as to lie in wardly slightl from thescore lines of the flaps to be folded when-said blade is passed across the end' of the erected carton; whereby said flaps may be folded on their score lines and still rest on said blade as a support.

18. The structure claimed in claim 16 wherein the means for providing.- an activated coating of adhesive on one of the closure flaps comprises means for reactivating a thermoplastic adhesive previously applied to said flap.

19. The structure claimed in claim 16 wherein said means for ,providing an activated coating means for moving said blade toward and away from said carton whereby said blade may be brought to a position extending across an open end of the carton and to a position in which said blade uncovers said carton, means arranged sequentially along the path of travel of said carton for folding outwardly at least one closure flap, for bringing said blade to th position in which it overlies the outfolded flap and extends across the open end of the carton, for providing an activated coating of adhesive on at least one other of said closure flaps, for infolding said last mentioned flap together with yet another flap against the top surface of said blade, for pressing'llhef folded flaps together while resting on said blade as a support, for withdrawing said blade, for infolding and adhesively securing the remaining closure flaps and for pressing said last mentioned flaps against said flaps first infolded.

21. In a machine of the class described, spaced rotating shafts, sprockets mounted on said shafts,

conveying means comprising a chain passing over said sprockets, cage means moved b said conveyingmeans for holding erected cartons to be closed and sealed, means along the path of travel of said conveying means for interfolding flaps of the cartons carried by said cages, pressure means rotating with at least one of said shafts and in timed relation to the movement of said cages, said pressure means providing individual pressure elements to press interfolded flaps on the cartons during the travel of said pressure elements with said cages, and means for activating said individual pressure elements.

LEONARD BACK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,379,276 Moore May 24, 1921 1,474,691 Taylor Nov. 20, 1923 1,525,015 Weeks Feb. 3, 1925 1,965,897 Jurgens et a1. July 10, 1934 2,061,886 West Nov. 24, 1936 2,097,428 Bergstein Nov. 2, 1937 2,281,187 Waters Apr. 28, 1942 2,313,643 Howard Mar. 9, 1943 2,328,758 Vergobbi Sept. 7, 1943 2,524,032 Back Oct. 3, 1950 

